In Sum and Substance, New Digital Media Rules Establish a Confusing Playing Field
While nobody can doubt the need for accountability, the manner in which the rules were created raises legal questions while the overarching logic of the substance is confusing.
Representative image of a man using his table to read news. Photo: Kaboompics/Peels
Media28/Feb/2021
An over two-year-long process that was primarily meant to make the content moderation processes of Silicon Valleyâs social media giants more responsible has cast a broad regulatory net over seemingly unrelated issues that have plagued the Narendra Modi government for the last six years.
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Opinion | New IT regulations for social media and OTT platforms are a welcome step
The government on Thursday announced IT rules for social media giants like Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, Google and YouTube and digital OTT platforms like Netflix, Disney Hotstar and others, with particular stress on self-regulation, followed by an Oversight Mechanism to be put in place by the Centre. This is a welcome and revolutionary step taken by the government for the first time since the explosion of news, views, entertainment and other content on social media platforms.
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The rules allow freedom to all to express oneâs views through news, articles and cinematic medium, but a strong âlaxman rekhaâ has been drawn for those who post toxic content on social media. Hate speeches, abusive comments, obscenity, anti-national content, rumours, lies and innuendoes against personalities, Constitutional functionaries and organizations, will invite swift retribution.
Fake-news matter will be heard by new bench, says Delhi HC after adjourning hearing ANI | Updated: Feb 26, 2021 14:40 IST
New Delhi [India], February 26 (ANI): The Delhi High Court on Friday adjourned the hearing on a petition seeking to frame the necessary guidelines and to constitute a committee for handling fake-news on various social handles and said that the matter will be heard by a new bench.
A Division Bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Jasmeet Singh said that a new bench will be designated for hearing the petitions.
The Court was hearing two petitions filed by Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and Manjit Singh GK.
Toolkit case: Media coverage definitely shows sensationalism, Delhi High Court says
The court was hearing activist Disha Raviâs plea against three TV news channels for their coverage of her case.
20 Feb, 2021
âPrint and electronic media plays a very important role in ensuring that there is no sensationalism and that they adhere to responsible journalism,â the Delhi High Court observed on Friday while hearing climate activist Disha Raviâs petition seeking to restrain TV news channels such as
India Today,
News18 and
Times Now from publishing âany alleged private chats between her and third partiesâ. However, the court added, the recent media coverage âdefinitely shows sensationalismâ.